Blur – the story of ‘No Distance Left To Run’

No Distance Left to Run screening

Blur reunited in London’s Leicester Square for the premiere of their film ‘No Distance Left To Run’ last night (January 14). It was the first time they’d met up publicly since their reformation shows last summer. Pic: PA Photos

Credit: Pa Photos

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Blur at the Premier of ‘No Distance Left to Run’ London 14.01.10

Featuring previously unseen backstage and archive footage, the 102 minute film charts Blur’s highs and lows. Get this week’s issue of NME for a review. Pic: Richard Johnson

Credit: Richard Johnson

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Blur at the Premier of ‘No Distance Left to Run’ London 14.01.10

‘No Distance Left To Run’ (15), hits cinemas across the country on January 19, documenting the history of the band and the build up to last year’s reformation shows. Pic: Richard Johnson

Credit: Richard Johnson

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BLUR_DN-16

The film contains some eye-opening disclosures. In it, Damon Albarn hints that he became caught up in the heroin scene. He also reveals he suffered from mental illness at the height of Blur’s success: “I was going through hell at that time. I was having panic attacks,” he explains. Pic: Danny North

Credit: Danny North

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The film also revisits the infamous Britpop feud between Blur and Oasis. Albarn confirms it was his dislike for the Gallagher brothers which saw them move their release date of ‘Country House’ to coincide with Oasis’ ‘Roll With It’. “Oasis were like the bullies I had to put up with at school,” he explains.

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The title of the new film was lifted directly from the single of the same title. ‘No Distance Left To Run’ features on the 1999 album ‘13’ and reached Number 14 in the singles chart. The lyrics document Damon Albarn’s split from long-term girlfriend and Elastica vocalist, Justine Frischmann. Pic: Andy Willsher

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‘No Distance Left To Run’ will be released as a two-disc DVD on February 15. The first disc features the film, while a second disc is a full performance from one of Blur’s Hyde Park shows last summer, which sold out within 2 minutes. Pic: Andy Willsher

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Music – Blur – Photoshoot

At the premiere, the film was introduced by DJ and long-time supporter, Steve Lamacq. Presumably the Blur/Oasis rivalry holds no fear for him – Lamacq is also involved with the upcoming Creation Records film, Upside Down (he worked on it as Creative Director). Pic: PA Photos

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You can catch ‘No Distance Left To Run’ at selected Odeon and Picturehouse Cinemas across the country from January 19. Pic: Danny North

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In the current issue of NME Jaimie Hodgson gives No Distance Left To Run a glowing 8/10 review.

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Hodgson writes: “Trawlings of behind-the-scenes tapes are anchored by fresh accounts and witterings from the four band members and artily diced with footage of the key reunion gigs.”

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Hodgson continues: “The new footage is largely ace, from a surprisingly candid Damon’s account of Oasis taunts to Graham’s attempt to reduce his entire career to a love/hate divide.”

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Glastonbury Festival 2009 – Day Three

True fact: according to producer Lucas Ochoa, there’s still a whole feature film’s supply of untouched footage from an abandoned 1995 film called B-Roads in Blur’s filmic archive. Pic: PA Photos